Apparatus for playing roll-down games.



H. S. THOMAS. APPARATUS FOR PLAYING ROLI'. DOWN GAMES.

APPLICATION FiLED MAR. 20 19H r Patented Feb. 20, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI' I.

YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII H. S. THOMAS. APPARATUS FOR PLAYING ROLL DOWN GAMES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.20. 9H.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

H. S. THOMAS. APPARATUS FOR PLAYING ROLL DOWN GAMES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.20.19I7.

Patented Feb.

25, 3 SHEETS-SHEEI UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. A

HUGE s. THOMAS, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB, T0 J. n. ES'I'E COMPANY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING ROLL-DOWN GAMES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH S. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, and resident of 265 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn, int-he countyof,

Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Apparatus for Playing Roll-Down Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for playing roll down games, in which balls or the like are rolled by the player along an inclined track or alley with the object of causing the same to enter one or other of a series of holes disposed at the end portion of said track. Each hole represents a particular value and the score is reckoned by adding the values represented by the holes through which the balls have passed. In games of this character, it has been proposed to provide mechanical means whereby the score is automatically indicated as the same proceeds so that the total number of points scored may be ascertained by referring to a dial or indicator associated with the apparatus. Indicating devices of this character, as previously employed, are cumbersome and unreliable in operation and it is the chief object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus in which the indicating is electrically or mechanically effected in such a manner as to beperfectly reliable under all conditions of working.

According to this invention, the apparatus comprises a track or alley which is provided at the end remote from that at which the player stands with an inclined portion having a series of holes preferably arranged in rowspr tiers and having a certain number of points assigned thereto which points are automatically scored by an electrical or mechanical indicating device when the ballspass through said holes. The indicating device may comprise a series of contact-making devices or trips corresponding in number to the several values assigned to the rows of holes anddisposed with respect thereto so that a ball passing through the holes will operate one of said-contact-making devices or trips or a series thereof according to the position and value of the hole through which said ball has passed. For erample, five rows of holes may be. provided in the inclined end portion of the track or alley and the holes in the first row may count five points, the holes in the sec- Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

Application filed March 20, 1917. Serial No. 156,050.

of holes would be provided with a corre-' sponding contact-making device or trip and the arrangement would be such that a ball passing through a hole in the first row would close or operate one contact-making device or trip while a ball passing through a hole in the fifth row or an intermediate row would close in succession the five or other number of contact-making devices or trips between said row and the first row. Each contact-making device or trip is adapted respectively to close the actuating circuit of an indicator or to mechanically operate the same so as to impart an impulse to the needle or other member of the indicator to record the predetermined increment of points thereon. It will be seen, therefore, that the closing of each contact-making device or the operation of each trip will cause the indicator to record a particular number of points so that the score made by the balls passing through the holes in the second or higher rows will be expressed in multiples of this number and will depend on the successive closing or operation of a number of serially arranged contact-making devices or trips.

In order that the balls may be directed against the contact-making devices or trips lower edge of the false bottom and a ball I after leaving its guide will enter. a longitudinal edge passage and operate the devices as it runs toward a collecting channel disposed at the end of the false bottom. The

balls are retained in the said collecting chamber until the player has rolled the allotted number of balls and they may then be released f r further use-by operating a1 suitable retaining device. The contactmaking devices may comprise members which are normally disposed in the path of the balls and which are adapted when displaced theieby to close the circuit of the indicator through a mercury pot or the like. The indicator may comprise a graduated dial over which a needle is displaced to record the score and the displacement of the needle is preferably efi'ected through an escapement or ratchet mechanism which is operated, by an electromagnet or similar electrical device. The needle may be associated with a rack and pinion which serves to resetthe same at the end of a game. In addition to recording the score the indicator may be provided with meansfor recording the number of games played and said means may comprise a counter or recorder which is adapted to be operated by the rack or other member each time the needle is reset. Any form of zeroizing device may be employed for the indicator either mechanically or electrically operated and it could be readily arranged to effect the registrationof thenumber of games played.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, the same will'now be described more fully with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a sectional side line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation looking toward the lower side of Fig. 1.

elevation on the Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken on line of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a-sectional plan view of the apparatus showing part of the false bottom and the contact making devices.

Fig. 6 is apartial side elevation of the apparatus with the side removed.-

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the indicator.

Figs. 8 and 9 are views similar to Figs. 5 and 6 showing an arrangement of trips for mechanically actuating the indicator.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a modified arrangement for effecting the zeroizing of the indicator.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises an inclined track or alley 1 hav- Theplayer stands at the right hand end of leaves the said guide.

mg at its end an inclined portion 2 which is neath the inclined end portion 2 oft-he floor there is arranged a false bottom 5 which is suitably inclined in two directions so that the balls falling thereon after passing through the holes in the track will tend to roll over the same in a diagonal direction. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the false bottom I 5 inclines toward the lower right hand corner and the balls 6 will tend to roll toward this point as they fall upon the false bottom. Between each row of holes 3 or adjacent to each row thereof, there is arranged a suitable guide '7 which is formed by a partition 8 which at the same time may serve to support the end inclined portion 2 of the track. Or, if desired, the guides 7 may be formed of strips and they may be made independent of the members which support the inclined portion 2 of the apparatusl Referring to Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be observed that at the end of each guide 7 there is located a contact making device 9 which is actuated by a ball 6 as it Only four contactma-ki-ng devices are shown in Fig. 5, but it will be understood that one of these devices is provided for each row of holes in the inclined portion 2 of the track. The contact adapted to be .making devices 9, 9 may be mounted upona number of spindles 10,10 which are carried by a strip of conducting material 11 suitably secured to the side of the alley, as shown in Fig. 4. A number of holes 12 are provided in the strip and these holes are lined with insulating b-ushes 13 which serve to insulate the spindles from the strip. The spindles 10 are inserted in the bushed holes 12 and extend out therefrom as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The contact making device 9 is formed of wire and it comprises an arm 14:

' which is normally in the path of the ball 6 and an arm 15 which carries a contact making pin 16 of platinum or material which is adapted toenter a mercury pct 17 to close an electrical circuit pertaining to the indicator which will be hereinafter described. One end of the wire forming the contactmaking device 9 is soldered to one end of a or bronze, the other end of said spiral being suitably connected to a washer or collar 19 carried by the outer end of the spindle 10. The contact-making device 9 turns freely upon the spindle-10 and owing to this fact it makes imperfect electrical contact with the track and rolls the balls up toward the spiral 18 of conducting metal such as copper conducting circuit is provided for the current,theicoil or spiral 18 of conducting wire the indicator 21, lead making device,

1s employed so that in every case good electrical connection between the contact member and the spindle is assured. The normal position of the arm 14 of the contact making device is shown in full lines in Fig. 6 and as a ball 6 engages the same said arm is raised into the dotted position so as to bring the pin 16 on the other arm 15 thereof into the mercury pot 17. One of the mercury .pots 17 is connected to one terminal 20 of the indicator 21 as shown .in Fig. 5, so that through conductor '11, all the pots 17 are connected, and the-other terminal of the indi'cator is connected to a battery 22 which in turn is connected to one of the collars 23 carried by the spindles 10of the contact making devices. The collars 23 on the re spective spindles are electrically connected by a lead orconductor 24. It will be seen, therefore, that when the contact any one of the contactmaking devices enters the corresponding mercury pot 17 the circuit will beclosed from the battery -22 through 25, mercury pot 17 through the arms 15 and 14 of the cont-actspiral 18, collar 19, spindle l0'and back to the battery by way of the lead 26. The terminals of the indicator are connected to an eleotromagnet 27 (Fig. 7 and current from the'battery 22 is conducted to the electromagnet to energize the same and thereby actuate a pivoted escapement or pawl mechanism-28 which serves to impart movement to the needle 29 of the indicator through the intervention of a suitable ratchet It will be observed from or escape wheel 30. Fig. 7 that the dial 31 ofqthe indicator is graduated into 26 divisions each corresponding to ten points, and each time the electromagnet 27 is energized the needle 29 willbe displaced through a half-division so as to indicate five polnts. The needle 29 is mounted on a suitable spindle 32 which carries the escape or'ratchet wheel 30 anda pinion 33 which is adapted toengage with a rack 34! vertically arranged and preferably weighted so as to assist in the displacement of the needle. The lower extremity of the vertical rack 34 may be which gin addition to effecting the displacement of the rack will also serve as a means for raising the same at the end of the game to. zeroi-ze the indicator. The raising of the rack owing to its 33' will serve. to reset the needle 29 to zero and, consequently, render the indicator in condition for recording the points or score of the next. game. If desired the lower end of the rack may be provided with a loose pulley 36 over which a cord 37 may be passed to effect the resetting thereof. This cord would be anchored at one end to a point 38 for the attendant '34 each time it is pin 16 of.

provided with a weight 35 engagement with the pinion on the indicator and would pass over the loose pulley 36 at theend of the rack, over another loose pulley 39 fixed on the indicator and down to an operating station convenient in charge of the apparatus. By pulling the cord the rack will be reset so as to effect the zeroizing of the indicator. A pin 34* may be provided at the upper end of the rack to limit the downward movement thereof.

As it is desirableto register or record the number of games played, a counter 40 may be arranged at the upper part of the indicator and an extension or arm 41 thereon may be adapted to be displaced by the rack reset to its initial position.

In this manner an indication will be made of each resetting so that the number of games may be recorded and a check made upon the working of the apparatus. The escapement or" ratchet mechanism 28 shown comprises a member 42 which is pivoted at 43 and retained in the position shown by means of, a spring 44 suitablyconne'cted atone end to a fixed point on the indicator. The pivoted member 42 is provided with two teeth 45 which are adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 30 so as to impart a pre determined angular movement thereto each time the electromagnet 27 is energized. It will be seen, therefore,'that this member in addition to imparting movement to the ratchet wheel will also serve to limit the movement thereof so that at all times the degree of movement will remain the same and will correspond with the number of points to be indicated by each closing of a contact-making device. The free passageway 46 at the lower edge of the false bot tom 5 leads into .a collecting chamber 47. The balls 6 enter this chamber and are retained therein by a device 48 which may comprise a spring-like member adapted to be depressed or displaced by a cord 50 or the like so as to withdraw the upturned portion 51 thereof from engagement with the first ball. When the device is operated in this manner the balls gathered in the collectingchambcr will run therefrom into a side chamber 52 which is conveniently arranged so that the attendant may be able to recover said balls for use in the next game. The side chamber 52 communicates with the collecting chamber 47 through an opening 53 formed in the wall of the track and the floors of said chambers are suitably inclined so that the balls will run down the same toward the front portions thereof.

Assuming a player has rolled a ball into the hole in the fifth row in the inclined portion 2 of the track, the ball will pass through the hole and roll down the guide 7 and engage with the corresponding contact-making member 9. The ball in its travel will serve bar 65 and cause'the'same tim-part an 1111-.

I trip and the pins or serve-to'support the? close the remaining four contact makers in succession so as to lmpart five impulses to the indicator and record points' Should the ball enter a hole in the first row it will, of course, only operate one contact-making de: vice and thus indicate five oints on the indicator. It will be seen, t erefore, that in the improved apparatus, the score is effected in a reliable manner as the balls cannot enter the collecting, chamber 47 without operating the contact-making devices located between the opening through which it has passed and the said chamber. The recording is efiected automatically andthe mechanism is so arranged that it cannot be tampered with in any way by the attendants, moreover, as the deviceis also adapted to record the number of games played a perfect check and record is kept or the operation of the apparatus.

It will be obvious that any form of zeroizing j mechanism maybe employed for the indie cator but it is always preferable to provide for the actuation. ofja game counterduring the zeroizlng operation. The contact-makmg devices are of light construction and jofi erno appreciable resistance to the travel of the balls, and-consequently there can be no danger of the balls jamming during the operation of the apparatus. 4

lEt will be understood that when a; scrim of tri s are employed instead of the contactma ring 'devices','they would be mechanically connected with the escapement or other actuating mechanism of the indicator so as to imp-art the desired movement to the needle thereof. Such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, where the trips are similar in form to the contactmaking devices previously described. The arms 61, 62 of the trips are disposed at substantially right angles to each other and each arm 61 1s provided with a pin longitudinally displaceable rod or bar 65. This bar is provided with a slot 64 for each rtions 63 of said trips ar. One end of'the bar 65 extends-through the end wall- 66 of the apparatus. and is connected to one arm of-a bell crank lever another bell crank lever 69 operatively connected with the pivoted -member 70 of the The bar 65 at indicator ratchet mechanism. the end remote from the bell crank lever 67 may be provided with a spring which tends to retain the same. with the pins 63 'of the several trips disposed at the left hand ends of-the slots 64. When one of the trips'60 is displaced'by a ba:ll,."it will impart a predetermined longitudinal movement to the pulse to the needle of theindicatoi" through the intervention of the bell crank levers and the member 70 and the indicator ratchet rotatably hiounted in ball games, comprisingin com orportion 63 adapted to engage with a slot 64 formed'in a sliding or the sai pinged against 67 which is in turn connect ed by a flexible .or other connect on 68 with .the trips, and'means therein and "clined track having an end aeaasc mechanism. Owing to the provision of slots 64 n the bar, the latter is free to be displaced by one trip without disturbing the other the indicator in Fig. '1 may be replaced by a weighted sector- 71 Ias shown in Fig. l0.

This sector is secured to' a shaft 72 which is the'casing of the indicator and which extends through therear wall thereof. The outer and of the shaft is provided with a handle or lever 7 3 which may be operated to effect the zeroizing of the indicator.

It will be understood thatwhen the contact-making devices are replaced by trips,

no electromargnet need be provided in the indicator.

What T claim is 1-- of'guides on said false bottom, each arranged adjacent to a row of holes, a series of trips arranged near the lower-ends of said guldes, and means for automatically indicating the score as the balls leave said guides and impinge against the said trips 2. An apparatus for playing roll-down ination an inclined track having an end portion inclined with respect thereto and provided with a series of rows of holes to receive the balls, a false'bottom arranged beneath the surface of the said end portion of the track,

a series of guides on said false bottom, a.

series of trips arranged near the lower ends of said guides, means for automatically indicatin the score adapted to be actuated by trips, and a collecting chamber for receiving the balls after the same have imthe trips to actuate the indicating means.

3. An apparatus for playing roll-down ball games, comprising in combination an inclined'track having an end portion inclined with respect thereto and bottom,-a ser es of guides thereon, a series of trips arranged near the lower ends of said trips, a collecting chamber for receiving the balls after the-same haveimpingedagainst from. 4. An apparatus for playing roll-down ball games, comprising in combination an inportion inclined for retaining the balls for releasing the balls there- 1 1. An apparatus for. playing roll-' down provided with a I series of.holes to receive the balls, a false with respect thereto and provided with a series of holes to receive the balls, a false bottom, a series of guides thereon, a series of trips, automatic score indicating means adapted to be actuated by said trips, a collecting chamber for receiving the balls after the same have impinged against the trips, and a displaceable member in said collecting chamber for retaining the balls therein and releasing the same therefrom.

5. An apparatus for playing roll-down ball games, comprising in combination an .inclined track having an end portion inclined with respect thereto and provided with a series of holes to receive the balls, a false bottom, a series of guides thereoma series of trips, automatic score-indicating means adapted to be actuated by said trips, a collecting chamber for receiving the balls after the same have impinged against the trips, means for retaining the balls in sald collecting chamber and for releasing the balls therefrom, and a side chamber for receiving the balls after the same are released'from the aforesaid collecting chamber.

6. In a game apparatus the combination of a course sub-divided by openings adapted for the passage of balls or the like, an independently driven counter, counter releasing devices on the outlet side of the openings and successively responsive to the passage of a ball or the like, andmeans for causing balls passing through certain openings to successively actuate the releasing devices in difl'erent groups.

7. In apparatus for playing roll-down ball games, the combination with an indicating mechanism of a-plurality of guides for the balls and a series of trips adapted to be operated successively by the balls to actuate said indicating mechanism.

8. In apparatus for playing roll-down ball games, the combination with an indicating mechanism of a plurality of trips operatively connected with said indicating mechanism and adapted to be operated by the balls, an inclined surface extending beneath said trips and guides on said surface for directing the balls against said. trips. 9. In apparatus for playing roll-down ball games, comprising incombination an inclined track having an end portion inclined with respect thereto and provided with a plurality of holes to receive the balls, a false bottom located beneath said end portion, aplurality offguides thereon, a plurality of trips arranged near the lower ends of said guides and means for automatically indicating the score adapted to be actuated by the said trips.

10. In apparatus for playing roll-down -New York and State of ball games, comprising in combination an inclined track having an end portion inclined with respect thereto and provided with a plurality of holes to receive the balls, a false bottom located beneath said end portion, a plurality of'sruides thereon, a plurality of trips arranged near the lower ends of said guides, means for automatically indicating the score adapted to be actuated by the said trips, a collecting chamber for receiving the balls after the same have impinged against the trips, and means for redrop the balls, the channels being inclined downwardly to one side of the game table, a longitudinal return run into which open the lower ends of the said transverse chan-* nels, a series of actuating devices in the said return run, one for each transverse channel, a register, and a connection between the said register and the said actuating devices.

13, In a game table, a table provided with an inclined head having transverse rOWs of apertures for the balls propelled over the table to drop through, inclined cross channels arranged below the rows of apertures in the said table head, a longitudinal return run having an inclined head portion into which open the lower ends of the said cross channels, a series of arms mounted to swing in the direction of the length of the said return run and extending into the head portion of the return run to be engaged by the scoring ball or balls running downthe said inclined head portion of the return run, a

register, and a connection connecting the said arms witheach other and with the said register;

14. In a game, apparatus, the combina- 1 tion with a table including a return ball runway, a register, carried by saidtable, a series of arms in saidrunway and adapted to be actuated by a scoring ball or balls in said runway and flexible means .operably connecting-said arms with the said Signed at New York city in the county of New York, this 15th day of March A. D. 1917.

HUGH S. THOMAS.

register. 

